As most business leaders know, the United States enacted a comprehensive financial regulatory scheme last year in response to the recent financial meltdown.  The law, known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), has several provisions related to the ability of the U.S. government to prosecute fraud occurring outside the U.S. and the ability of whistleblowers to report that fraud. 

     

 

In terms of fraud related to conduct occurring outside the U.S., the U.S. Supreme Court recently issued an opinion that limited the ability of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to reach securities fraud not related to a company or stock traded on a U.S. stock exchange.  In response to this decision, Congress inserted provisions into the Dodd-Frank law that restored the SEC’s ability to investigate fraud occurring outside the U.S.

 

Specifically, the SEC has the ability to investigate and bring enforcement actions under the antifraud provisions of its securities law for “conduct occurring outside the U.S. that has a foreseeable substantial effect within the U.S.,” and “conduct within the U.S. that constitutes significant steps in furtherance of the violation, even if the securities transaction occurs outside the U.S. and involves only foreign investors.”  Thus, cases can be brought against a company even if the company is not listed on a U.S. stock exchange, even if the transaction is not a transaction done on a U.S. stock exchange, and even if the investors are not U.S. investors.

    

 

In conjunction with these provisions granting broad foreign enforcement powers to the SEC, the Dodd-Frank law also provides incentive for individuals — in or outside the U.S. — to act as whistleblowers and report alleged fraud violations.  Under this whistleblower program, the SEC will award individuals 10- to 30-percent of monetary sanctions collected in enforcement actions resulting from the whistleblower’s “original information.”  This provides a real incentive for individuals to report fraud crimes, for example, crimes related to investor fraud or violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the U.S. law outlawing bribery of foreign public officials).

Given this expanded scope of U.S. jurisdiction and the increased financial incentives for whistleblowers, it is imperative that any Australian listed companies with significant ties to the U.S. (i.e., U.S.-based investors, customers, vendors or subcontractors) be well-versed in the nuances of the Dodd-Frank law.  In addition, a company should have a comprehensive compliance program that minimizes the risk of misconduct in the workplace and, thereby, minimizes the risk of a whistleblower running to the U.S. government with allegations of misconduct.

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